Having written about tequila at Uproxx for several years, I’ve become the go-to person in my friend group (and family discussion group) for tequila recommendations. This is harder than it seems, because although I would like to recommend bottles that I believe are the “best”, tastes vary according to people. So, most often, I make my recommendations based on a few things.

First of all, I wonder: how often does this person drink tequila? Because if the answer is rare, then I’m not going to suggest something brilliant, agave forwardand biting — I’m more likely to suggest something that has a greater vanilla influence, something that will diminish a lot smoother.

Then I ask: what is the place? If it is a bottle to take home, the answer is simpler, if the person is in a bar or dining in a restaurant, my answer will be different, because even if there are hundreds of tequila brands, at local bars and restaurants there is a group of the usual suspects.

So to help you find the best tequila at your local watering hole or the next time you sit down to dinner at your favorite restaurant, we’ve ranked the most likely bottles you’ll encounter. So, tequila nerds, don’t come talking to me about how I didn’t include Fortaleza or (insert your favorite additive-free brand here). This is a list based on common bottles that are most commonly stocked in most bars.

Let’s drink!

10. Espolon — Tequila Reposado

ABV: 40%
Average price: $21.99

Tequila:

Espolòn is where you should start. A well tequila will often be something like Jose Cuervo or Suaza, choosing Espolòn over these common well tequilas means you are serious about your agave and your drinks will come out better for it.

Where tequilas can be harsh, Espolòn’s reposado offers a smooth and remarkable vibe with a blend of peppery and agave flavors that will enhance your favorite cocktails.

The tequila is made under the NAME 1440, Campari, and is made from agave cooked in a low pressure autoclave, extracted by a roller mill, mixed with well water and aged for three months in barrels of American white oak.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Malted chocolate with notes of roasted agave and a hint of alcohol.

Palace: Agave and white pepper, with some notes of caramel and citrus.

Finishing: A little warm with a woody finish.

The bottom line:

An easy swap for your bar’s tequila that won’t result in a significantly higher bill.

9. Olmeca Altos-Blanco

ABV: 40%
Average price: $23.99

Tequila:

If you are looking for a great blanco to replace, Olmeca Altos is an excellent and affordable choice. It has a wonderful, nuanced flavor that plays nicely on the palate.

Tequila is made the old fashioned way, cooked low and slow in brick ovens, tahona crushed and distilled in copper pots at NOM 1111, Pernod Richard Mexico.

Tasting notes:

Nose: A blend of roasted agave, grilled pineapple and citrus on the nose.

Palace: Zesty with navel orange juiciness balanced with fresh green peppers.

Finishing: Herbaceous and creamy with a gentle heat.

The bottom line:

Very citrusy with lots of minerality and a pleasant finish.

8. Casamigos Tequila Reposado

ABV: 40%
Average price: $36.99

Tequila:

Ahh, the Casamigos still present. Many tequila snobs will scoff at this tequila once owned by celebrities (George Clooney), but it is a very palate-pleasing tequila, which is why it is so popular.

But it’s aimed at the American palate, so what you’re going to find here is a sweet, vanilla finish. If you like your agave biting and bright, look elsewhere. But still, if a restaurant offers their drink with Casamigos, there’s no real reason to substitute it, unless you’re looking for more agave.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Very vanilla with some caramel notes and a slight oak.

Palace: Roasted agave, cake batter and warm baking spices.

Finishing: Surprisingly peppery on the finish.

Conclusion :

Vanilla and pleasant to taste. It’s not my favorite but it has its place.

7. Cimarron—Tequila Reposado

ABV: 40%
Average price: $29.99

Tequila:

Cimarron is a brand to fall asleep to due to its low price, but you get what you pay for with this one, and it punches well above its weight. This is a big step up from what we ranked below today.

The tequila is additive-free and made from estate-grown agave, slow-cooked in an autoclave, extracted by a roller mill and rested for three to six months in American white oak barrels.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Rich, spicy cinnamon with notes of caramelized agave and charred oak.

Palace: More cinnamon and agave on the palate, with earthy notes of brown sugar molasses.

Finishing: Rich floral and vanilla balanced by some oak.

The bottom line:

A spicy and affordable tequila without additives.

6. Silver Patron

ABV: 40%
Price: $37.99

Tequila:

Patrón is an upgrade you’ll be sure to find at any bar and restaurant serving tequila. This is the go-to “good tequila” and for good reason, even if Patrón isn’t my favorite, there’s a lot to like here.

It has a natural sweetness and easy-to-love drinkability that most tequilas lack, while benefiting from old-fashioned brick oven cooking methods.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Roasted agave, white sugar and a hint of honey.

Palace: A blend of tangy pineapple and zesty orange with a hint of bitter lettuce to balance it all out.

Finishing: A touch of black pepper with lime-influenced acidity.

The bottom line:

Smooth, easy to drink and the most obvious play to enhance your cocktail.

5. Don Julio—Tequila Blanco

ABV:
Average price: $34.49

Tequila:

Ahh Don Julio, a bar tequila that you can actually drink neat. Don Julio always seemed like an upgraded version of Casamigos. It has the same people-pleasing sweetness, but a much more complex flavor profile.

It is produced under the NOM 1449 from agave slowly cooked in stone ovens, extracted in a roller mill and fermented in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting notes:

Nose: A wonderful balance of roasted agave and vanilla bean with just a touch of cinnamon.

Palace: Layers of cocoa and fudge with a bit of green tea herb and some crunchy green pepper notes.

Finishing: A finish reminiscent of celery and citrus, with a lingering crackle of black pepper.

The bottom line:

A more complex and nuanced choice than Patrón, and probably in the same price range.

4. LALO-Blanco

ABV: 40%
Average price: $35.99

Tequila:

In just a few years, LALO has gone from a brand new brand to one of the most ubiquitous and best-tasting affordable bottles on the market.

LALO is everywhere, and we all feel better for it. This tequila is 100% additive-free and made from highland agave that is cooked in stone steam ovens for 20-32 hours, rested, then crushed by a roller mill before being fermented in stainless steel tanks in the open air.

It’s sipable, shootable and great in a cocktail. You can’t go wrong with this one, it’s not the best, but it will likely only result in a reasonable extra charge from your bartender that will be worth every penny.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Lively nose of agave and citrus fruits.

Palace: A buttery blend of roasted agave and caramel.

Finishing: Nice and juicy with a vegetal quality.

The bottom line:

A wonderful tequila without additives and additives. Its taste is incredibly pure and has quickly established itself as one of the best tequila brands currently operating.

3. Tequila Ocho—Plata

ABV: 40%
Average price: $34.99

Tequila:

Affordable, additive-free, fashion-forward agave, we imagine you’re starting to see a trend here. As big tequila fans, we love it when a liquid hasn’t been too fucked, so naturally, we think the best choice in bars around the world is a clean-tasting tequila.

La plata d’Ocho is silky and smooth, while still retaining all the bright, biting qualities that make us big tequila fans.

Tasting notes:

Nose: A perfect balance of orange zest, roasted agave and Anaheim chili pepper.

Palace: Tangy and a little dry, with a burst of herbaceous flavors to balance out that dryness. I can taste an almost cilantro-like refreshing quality in this liquid, so if you’re someone who thinks cilantro tastes like soap (we feel sorry for you), maybe skip this one.

Finishing: Mint, pepper and a hint of lime on the finish.

The bottom line:

Ocho is a great choice if you like your tequila very grassy and green.

2. Siete Leguas — Blanco

ABV: 40%
Average price: $54.99

Tequila:

There is a palpable minerality here that I think really sets Siete Leguas apart from most of its competitors. It’s dry and earthy, yet lactic, with a rich agave finish.

Siete Leguas is additive-free and produced under NOM 1120, Tequila Siete Leguas, using slow-cooked agave, natural spring water and copper pot distillation.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Warm and welcoming with damp rock and cool soil qualities.

Palace: High minerality balanced by some grass and a touch of chilli.

Finishing: Lots of citrus, a touch of vanilla and lingering heat.

The bottom line:

Herbal, vegetal, luminous and rich in minerals. Siete Leguas offers a very natural but delicate flavor.

1. El Tesoro — Blanco

ABV: 40%
Average price: $49.99

Tequila:

Here it is, our number one pick for the best tequila that you’re most likely to find in every bar and restaurant. El Tesoro is one of the best brands around, and its blanco is a simple window into why.

This tequila is full of nuanced flavors. Yes, the usual tequila tasting notes are there, but they are so expertly balanced here that you can actually taste how this tequila is in a different class than most other tequilas on the market.

The liquid is produced under the NAME 1139, Tequila Tapatio (La Alteña) from agave slowly cooked in stone ovens. It is 100% additive free.

Tasting notes:

Nose: A balance of raw and roasted agave, with some juicy mango notes.

Palace: Lots of black pepper, baking spices, a touch of sea salt, green grass and minerals. Flavors are constantly changing, just when you think you’ve mastered the flavor, a new note, like floral sweetness, will reveal itself.

Finishing: Pure and grassy with a slight burn.

The bottom line:

Juicy, agave forward, floral and fruity. A refined choice for anyone looking to impress with their drinks order.